MARSHALL — As Severe Weather Awareness Week continues, Tuesday’s spotlight turns to the hazards posed by thunderstorms, lightning, and hail—reminding the public that even small-scale storms can carry serious risks.
Thunderstorms may be compact—typically 15 miles wide and lasting around 30 minutes—but they are dangerous. Severe thunderstorms bring hail or wind speeds of at least 58 mph. In some cases, straight-line winds can exceed 100 mph, causing destruction similar to tornadoes. Communities often activate outdoor sirens not only for tornadoes but also for these high winds.
The National Weather Service (NWS) urges everyone to treat severe thunderstorms with the same urgency as tornado warnings. If a storm threatens, take shelter in a sturdy building. Mobile homes and tents offer little protection from downbursts—intense wind surges that can overturn vehicles, uproot trees, and rip roofs from homes.
Hail is another major threat. While most hail is pea-sized, some stones can grow as large as grapefruits and fall faster than 100 mph, causing nearly $1 billion in damage annually and, in rare cases, fatalities.
Lightning is also a universal feature of thunderstorms. It kills an average of 43 people in the U.S. each year and injures many more. Experts stress that no outdoor location is safe when lightning is in the area. If you hear thunder, seek shelter immediately in a building with electricity or in a hard-topped vehicle. Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, the inclusive lightning safety slogan “See a flash, dash inside” is now promoted alongside the well-known “When thunder roars, go indoors.”
